Battle of the Medway facts for kids

The Battle of the Medway happened in the year 43 AD. It likely took place near the River Medway in what is now Kent, England. This area was once home to an Iron Age tribe called the Cantiaci. This battle was an important early fight in the Roman invasion of Britain, led by a Roman general named Aulus Plautius.

Why the Battle Happened

When the Romans landed in Britain, the local tribes decided to team up against them. They chose two brothers, Togodumnus and Caratacus from the Catuvellauni tribe, to lead them.

The British tribes had already lost two small fights in eastern Kent. So, they gathered by a river further west to get ready for a bigger battle.

Around the same time, a British tribe called the Dobunni in western Britain gave up to the Romans. The Dobunni tribe used to be under the control of the Catuvellauni. This surrender probably made the British tribes feel less confident and weakened their fighting force.

How the Battle Unfolded

There was no bridge over the river where the battle happened. So, some special Roman soldiers, called auxiliaries, swam across. These soldiers were described as "Celtic," meaning they were from areas like Gaul (modern-day France).

They attacked the British tribes' chariot horses, causing a lot of confusion. While this was happening, the main Roman army crossed the river. This force included the powerful Legio II Augusta, led by Vespasian. The overall commander was Titus Flavius Sabinus.

The British fighters were surprised that the fully armed Roman soldiers could cross the river so quickly. The first day of fighting ended without a clear winner.

On the second day, a Roman officer named Gnaeus Hosidius Geta led a brave attack. He almost got captured, but his troops fought back hard. They made the British tribes run away. Geta was given a special award called a triumph for his victory. This was a very rare honor for someone who wasn't a consul (a top Roman official).

Historians think the Romans might have fought in two or three separate groups because Geta and Sabinus played big roles on different days. The Roman invasion army was very large, possibly including three legions and many auxiliary troops. A battle lasting two days was quite unusual in ancient warfare.

After their defeat, the British tribes retreated to the River Thames, which was an even bigger river and harder to cross.

Where the Battle Was Fought

The ancient writer Cassius Dio didn't name the exact place or river where this battle happened. However, most people believe it was on the Medway River.

The Romans would have used old paths as they moved west from Richborough. One very old path, later known as the Pilgrims' Way, crossed the Medway at Aylesford.

Some people think Aylesford might not be the spot because the river there is quite narrow. They suggest the battle was closer to Rochester, where a large Iron Age settlement existed.

Another idea points to Bredgar. A collection of Roman coins from that time was found there. Some think it might have been a Roman officer's savings buried before the battle. However, these coins could be from up to 20 years after the battle.

It's also possible the Romans followed the future route of Watling Street. But we're not sure if this was a major path before the Romans arrived.